THE FLESH MUST DIE!

 

Nowadays we find ourselves wondering why we are not progressing in our Spiritual life. We fast, pray, worship, serve in different ministries (at least that is what we call what we are doing), yet we do not see any results for the things we ask God. Understand that once the anointing is corrupted, the fruits cease to be reproduced even though the Lord is near. What we are yet to realize is that when there is cloudiness, there is no room for growth because the flesh has gained control over the Spirit man. Living according to the flesh is death to the Spirit man, and some of the examples include doing things according to how you feel (heart issues), over eating or not fasting, prayerlessness, bearing grudge, perverse language, immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, etc.

After we give our lives to Christ (becoming born again), we no longer can live according to the flesh because the old canal ways are now supposed to be replaced by the ways of the Lord (things of the Spirit) which means that we have to become “BROKEN” (Letting God have complete control, obeying the Holy Spirit while forsaking your own ways). Romans 7:5 says “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.” If we recognize anything within us that may be causing us to continue living according to the flesh, we are supposed to cut it off. Jesus tells us in Matthews 5:29-30 “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”

We can’t truly excel in Christ if our flesh is still in control. For us to live in obedience, the flesh must die. Most times, we work in the flesh and see canal results but we equate it to results from God. We have to understand that the flesh is always against the Spirit and vice versa. “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (Galatians 5:17). When we find ourselves doing what we desire without asking God first, we are living according to the flesh. Romans 8:5-9 states that “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

This flesh must die so we can excel in Christ, it must die so that we can gain more access to the realms of the Spirit. Once our Spirit man comes alive, we will then begin to see greater levels in which Christ wants for us. We all must seek to become “BROKEN” so that we can live a better live in Christ. Self-pleasures may feel good for a little while, but the corrupted spirit will languish for eternity. Therefore brothers and sisters, lets understand that “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8. If we find that we have been living by the flesh, we need to go for some deep repentance so the blood can cleanse us and make us whole again.

May the Holy Spirit help us all become BROKEN. Let this flesh die in Jesus Name.

Annie AB Tanyi